Chapter 399: Imperial Capital! Imperial Capital! Imperial Capital!

Even without Mobius explaining further, Fu Hua immediately understood.

When the genetic structure remains unchanged, human physiology is preserved without grotesque mutations, and even cultural heritage continues unbroken, weren’t these enhanced human warriors under Selene’s command the very template for human evolution that the Flame-Chasers had been striving for all along?

Moreover, the scale of these warriors far surpassed what the super-transformation surgeries of the MANTIS project could ever achieve.

It’s true that once a MANTIS fusion warrior undergoes the super-transformation surgery, their body is permanently fixed at the state it was in during the procedure. They effectively retain eternal youth, with additional perks like being unable to gain weight regardless of consumption and maintaining an ideal physique without training.

However, the flaws of the MANTIS program were glaring—chief among them, the exceedingly low success rate of the super-transformation surgery.

The likelihood of success was so low that every participant in the program was effectively seen by the researchers as committing suicide.

The grotesque Honkai Beast mutation “Tlaloc,” which Bronya eliminated in the Eye of the Deep, seemed to be tied to failed experiments from the Flame-Chasers’ MANTIS project in the previous era.

Creating MANTIS fusion warriors was no simple task. The failure rate was staggering, with most attempts resulting in either mindless monsters or immediate death.

At its peak, the Flame-Chasers organization had only managed to maintain a roster of a few hundred MANTIS fusion warriors—and that was after handpicking the best of the best from billions of people worldwide.

“Thank goodness Kevin’s ’Stigmata Plan’ never succeeded. Forcing super-transformation surgery on all of humanity… just thinking about it is terrifying,” Mobius remarked, smiling slyly as she stuck out her tongue like a snake flicking its tongue.

(Crunching noises…)

The “Stigmata Plan,” which aimed to turn all of humanity into fusion warriors, was a desperate last resort. If Kevin’s plan had been implemented, at least 99% of humanity would have perished.

To put it simply: imagine a day, perhaps tomorrow, a year from now, or a thousand years later, when the world is fated to end. There’s a button you can press to save a random, minuscule fraction of the population—maybe 1 in 100 million. When would you press it?

The “Stigmata Plan” was essentially this—a gamble where the odds of survival were infinitesimal.

Most people would balk at such odds. Few would willingly roll the dice, as the overwhelming majority would end up as sacrificial lambs. Many would cling to the hope that the apocalypse might come long after their own deaths, leaving the problem for future generations.

Such a plan was so extreme that even someone as unhinged as Otto wouldn’t attempt it. Only those who harbored an all-consuming hatred for the Honkai would be willing to make the entire world pay the price to achieve victory at all costs.

The biggest issue, however, lay in the inconsistency of results. The gap in power between the strongest and weakest MANTIS warriors was astronomical. On one hand, there were beings like Kevin Kaslana, and on the other, individuals like Pardofelis, who would be left gasping for breath after defeating a few low-level Honkai Beasts.

The manufacturing costs and results were disproportionately mismatched, akin to opening blind loot boxes.

Furthermore, post-surgery training seemed to yield minimal results. Aside from a few unique traits granted by the surgery, most MANTIS warriors exhibited limited growth potential and lacked any systematic means of enhancement.

“What really fascinates me is this—they are controllable, adaptable, and capable of sustainable improvement! This is the hallmark of infinite evolution!” Mobius exclaimed, her excitement palpable.

(Crunching noises…)

Mobius could tell that the power structure within the Astartes Legion was exceedingly simple and straightforward: the larger the build, the flashier the powered armor, the higher the rank, and the more formidable the strength.

The Astartes officers decorated with medals and sashes on their breastplates were without exception incredibly powerful. The explosive energy reactions emanating from their bodies grew stronger with each rank.

From a genetic perspective, there wasn’t much difference between these officers and regular Astartes warriors. The key distinction lay in their higher compatibility with Honkai energy, more robust cellular structures, enhanced self-healing capabilities, and the greater energy reserves contained within their bodies.

Undoubtedly, this represented a scalable, systematic path of growth.

In nature, evolution is uncontrollable; all living beings evolve to adapt to their environment, and no one knows whether the direction of evolution is right or wrong.

Yet, under Selene’s direction, Mobius saw a reality that defied all conventional understanding, and she couldn’t help but feel exhilarated.

“Getting to personally study them, exploring the mysteries of life, and stepping onto a mature evolutionary path full of infinite possibilities—what an exciting prospect!”

Her words grew faster and faster, her tone more and more impassioned, the crazed glint in her eyes utterly unmistakable. “The Imperial Capital! The Imperial Capital! The Imperial Capital! Ahhh—I can’t wait any longer!”

For a scientific maniac like Mobius, the existence of the Astartes project was akin to a treasure trove waiting to be unearthed.

Standing up, she grabbed Fu Hua’s shoulders, nearly shouting in her fervor, “Do you understand? This is exhilarating beyond belief! They are miracles incarnate!”

(Chomp, chomp) ×2

“Hey, Fu Hua, can you do something about these two? They’re so annoying! Can’t you eat quietly?” Mobius snapped out of her mad scientist state immediately as the sound of incessant chewing grated on her ears.

With a scowl, Mobius turned her head, unable to tolerate it any longer. As she was speaking, Senti and Li Sushang, sitting nearby, were munching away like a pair of hamsters, noisily chomping with no regard for the atmosphere.

“Well done, my dear disciple!” Senti grinned at Mobius, swallowing her skewer in one gulp before cheerfully patting Li Sushang on the back.

Li Sushang, while eating quietly, kept shifting her gaze between Fu Hua and Senti.

“So, not only are you scientists a bunch of lunatics, but you’re also troublesome lunatics…”

Senti snorted, suddenly leaping between Fu Hua and Mobius, inserting herself between them with an expression of utter distaste as she pushed Mobius away with her small hands.

“Shoo, shoo… stay away from us, you creepy snake.”

“Tch.” Mobius wasn’t about to indulge Senti’s antics, and her counterattack came without hesitation.

“Ah~”

The overaged green-haired “loli” clutched her nearly flat chest in feigned modesty, adopting a coy expression. “How could you treat a delicate flower of a lady like this? So rude. Fu Hua, control your little underling and teach her some respect for her elders.”

With veins popping on her forehead, Senti clenched her fists audibly. “You perverted snake! I’ve tolerated you long enough. Let’s settle this one-on-one!”

“Oh~ A duel?” Mobius shot her a pitying look as though questioning her intelligence. “Sister here is just an ordinary researcher, you know, never set foot on a battlefield. And you want me, a mere scientist, to duel a brute like you?”

Her voice carried mock surprise before Mobius covered her face with one hand and leaned back slightly, delivering a theatrical queen-like laugh. “I wouldn’t stoop to something so undignified. Fu Hua, take care of her!”

Facing off against Mobius, the wily serpent, was clearly too much for this fledgling brat Senti.

Among the thirteen heroes, aside from that “chubby” Elysia, I, Mobius, am unmatched!

“Just you wait! I’m going to destroy you!” Senti shouted, flailing her arms.

Bang! Bang!

“Enough! You two! Quiet down!”

…

The commotion continued on one side of the table, while on the other, Kiana and her group exchanged smiles.

It’s wonderful—Class Monitor Fu Hua has returned.

“Hey, the cat’s here! Let me introduce myself. My name’s Pardofelis, but just call me Pardo. I’m a junior to Fu Hua-sister and Snake-sister. Meow~”

Swinging her tail excitedly, Pardofelis was just as thrilled. It seemed her little beast-ear squad could start up again. “Wow, your horns and tails are real!”

“Liliya is curious. Are those really cat ears?”

Liliya, with her light blue hair, a horn on the left side of her head, and a black tail tipped with blue claws tied in a ribbon, pointed at Pardo’s ears with a deadpan but curious tone. Most girls have little resistance to fluffy animals.

“Same question! Same question! Also, can I touch them?”

Rosalia, Liliya’s older sister, leaned on her shoulder, her eyes gleaming with excitement. Unlike Liliya, Rosalia’s voice was boisterous, matching her lively pink hair. She had a horn on the right side of her head and a pink-and-white tail tipped with claws, adorned with a matching pink bow.

“Rosalia, you idiot! That’s rude!”

“What? Liliya clearly wants to ask too! Why not just say it out loud?”

Stare.

“You can’t touch them! They’re very sensitive!” Alarmed by everyone’s inquisitive gazes, Pardo quickly jumped back.

“That’s bull!” From across the table, Senti sneered. “Didn’t the Finality grab you and give your ears a good rubdown before?”

“Other Fu Hua-sister, what are you even talking about? That… that’s totally different!”

“Hehe.”

Senti chuckled smugly, recovering her confidence from Pardo’s reaction, and then turned back to face Mobius for another round of verbal sparring.

A lively and cheerful girl. Raiden Mei also joined the conversation. “I’m Raiden Mei, but just call me Mei.”

“Bronya,” the silver-haired girl said curtly.

“You can call me Seele,” added the shy girl softly.

“I’m Kiana,” said Kiana, who was roughhousing with Theresa by the banquet table.

“Honestly, Kiana, I’m the academy principal, your grandaunt. Show some respect—” Theresa began to scold, only to suddenly freeze in place.

Her hand clutched her chest, her face pale. She felt an inexplicable pang in her heart, as if something was being wrenched away forever. A wave of sorrow overcame her, making her feel like crying.

But before Theresa could voice her discomfort, the pain vanished just as suddenly as it came, leaving no trace behind.

She stood there, dazed.

“Principal? What’s wrong?” Kiana stopped her squabble, forgetting about the grease on her hands as she grabbed a napkin and approached with concern.

“Principal?”

“Kiana…” After a moment, tears unexpectedly rolled down Theresa’s cheeks. Her voice trembled with both surprise and apology. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why—I suddenly felt like crying.”

“It’s fine.” Wiping away her tears, she looked up at the worried faces surrounding her and smiled once more. “Sorry for ruining the mood on a day like this.”

“Come on, everyone, sit back down.”

She reached for an unopened bottle of fruit wine on the table and began pouring. “Let’s have a toast, everyone.”

As the glasses were filled, everyone stood.

“Cheers!” ×12

Clink!

Twelve crystal goblets filled with fruit wine clinked together, producing a crisp and harmonious sound.

This toast was for their safe return, the farewell of a mentor, and the final Chapter of a sinner.

As everyone downed their drinks, the surrounding Imperial soldiers suddenly stood up, bowing their heads in a solemn silence.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

From afar, the heavy sound of magnetized boots striking the metallic deck grew louder, echoing in the ears of everyone present. A separate, far weightier set of footsteps accompanied the Astartes’ movements, resounding ominously across the deck.

“Is it him?”

Raiden Mei’s body instinctively trembled.

This reaction immediately drew the attention of Kiana and the others, who followed Mei’s gaze.

Ahead, the towering figure of Imperial Grand General Budo approached, flanked by Astartes Chapter masters Robert and Leman Russ, as well as others from the honor guard.

The Legion Commanders’ footsteps, clanging against the metallic plates, drowned out all other sounds, their every move exuding an innate sense of bloodlust and razor-sharp ferocity that sent chills down the spine.

As Budo and his entourage made their way directly toward them, Mei hurriedly stood up.

“Mei, who is that? He looks so serious and intimidating,” Kiana whispered.

“The Lord Commander of the Second Legion of Astartes, the Punishers, and the Imperial Grand General, Budo,” Mei replied softly.

“Raiden Mei,” Budo greeted as he halted before them, placing his hands behind his flowing cape and sizing up these elites of Schicksal.

“Turning from darkness to light was the right choice. This general is pleased that we can now work under the same banner.”

He stood like a blood-soaked fortress, unmoving and unyielding. His face, weathered by war, bore the marks of countless battles. Despite his imposing gaze, his words were unexpectedly amicable.

Mei was taken aback. Raising her head, her mouth agape, she gazed in disbelief at the figure towering over four meters tall.

Budo paused, then continued, “I see great potential in you. If you are willing, this general hopes you might join the Second Legion—”

“That won’t be necessary, Budo.”

“Your Majesty?” All turned toward the voice, and Budo instinctively prepared to bow.

“No need for that.” Waving dismissively, Selene appeared, dressed in a flowing white-and-gold gown, accompanied by the ever-energetic Alyssa and a striking silver-haired giant. They strolled down the shaded pathway of the floating island, their conversation lighthearted.

“Leiva.”

“These individuals have another role to fulfill. Besides, it’s clear they have no interest.”

Selene walked past them with an air of ease, quickening her steps to stand before the Schicksal group.

She handed over a freshly tailored set of archbishop robes, perfectly sized for Theresa.

“Otto Apocalypse is dead,” Selene said calmly.

Theresa’s eyes widened in shock, her lips parting as if to speak but no words came.

Selene, without awaiting a response, placed the archbishop robes into Theresa’s hands and made her announcement:

“The war is over.”

“Prepare to return to the capital. The imperial city will be your new home.”

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